Undergraduate Students

Meet the Advisors

Academic Advisors are available by appointment and for drop-in advising throughout most of the academic year. During the summer and school breaks, advisors are available by appointment only. All Business Administration majors have an assigned academic advisor; Marshall minors can meet with any available advisor. Marshall majors can verify their advisors and schedule appointments by calling the Office of Undergraduate Advising at 213.740.0690 or stopping by BRI 104. Current USC students who are interested in adding a Marshall major or minor can also contact our office about meeting with an advisor.

Office Of Undergraduate Advising

Maureen McHale, Ph.D. | Assistant Dean and Directormmchale@marshall.usc.edu
Maureen is a native Angeleno. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology, an MA in Higher Education and Work, and a PhD in Higher Education and Organizational Change. While in graduate school, her research focused on student retention and the impact of college on students’ attitudes and values. Maureen has a wide range of experience in the area of undergraduate education, and she was the Senior Dean of the Advising Center at Columbia University prior to coming to USC in 2008. Previously, she oversaw Instructional Improvement Programs in UCLA’s Office of Instructional Development and student retention and international programs at UCLA Summer Sessions. In her free time, Maureen enjoys travel, reading, hiking, the beach, and spending time with her family and son.

Jennifer Siemer | Associate Directorjennifer.siemer@marshall.usc.edu
Jennifer was born and raised in southern California. She majored in history at Azusa Pacific University and went on to receive her master’s degree in Postsecondary Education and Student Affairs at USC. Prior to becoming an academic advisor at Marshall, Jen served in the development office at Pepperdine University and worked as an advisor to the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council. IIn addition to advising students, Jen is involved in coordinating: co-curricular programs for the Global Leadership Program (GLP), New Student Orientation, the Marshall Connections Program, and scholarships for continuing students. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys reading, cooking for her family and friends, and spending time near the beach.

Daniel Choi, Ph.D. | Associate Directorchoid@marshall.usc.edu
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Daniel received his B.A. degrees in Sociology and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at the University of Southern California (USC), and Ph.D. in Higher Education at New York University’s (NYU) Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Prior to returning to USC, he lived in Brooklyn, New York and served as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at NYU’s Polytechnic School of Engineering. Additionally, he served as a part-time faculty member within the NYU Higher Education and Student Affairs graduate program and Assistant Dean of Student Life for Semester at Sea (Fall 2015). He has worked in higher education administration for 15+ years and served in various capacities within Residence Life, Student Activities, Orientation, Student Services and Counseling and Admissions.

Russell Sommer | Assistant Directorrdsommer@marshall.usc.edu
Russ hails from Bridgeport, Michigan. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Saginaw Valley State University and received a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University. While at Eastern, Russell gained valuable experience working as an academic advisor and international student specialist. Russ has been with USC Marshall since 2008, and received USC’s Outstanding Academic Advisor award in 2011. He is currently pursuing his Ed.D. at USC’s Rossier School of Education. Russ assists with New Student Orientation, and serves as the academic advisor and co-curricular program coordinator for students in the World Bachelors in Business (WBB) program. Russ enjoys listening to music and playing beach volleyball.

Ellecia Williams | Assistant Directorelleciaw@marshall.usc.edu
Ellecia grew up in San Diego, California and completed high school in Texas. She received a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University and a MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. Prior to joining Marshall, Ellecia lived in the Pacific Northwest where she worked at Portland State University in University Advancement. Ellecia also worked as an Academic Advisor in the College of Arts & Sciences Advising Center at Washington State University Vancouver where she advised students majoring in Biology and Environmental Science. During her free time, Ellecia likes to travel, read and spend time with her family.

Mayra Miranda | Academic Advisormayramir@marshall.usc.edu
Mayra was born and raised in Southern California. Prior to joining USC Marshall, she spent eight years working at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. After a year in the Registrar’s Office, Mayra moved to the Advisement Center where she first served as an Academic Advisor and then as Associate Director. She completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology at MSMC, where she will soon complete her Masters of Arts in Humanities as well. At Marshall, Mayra coordinates co-curricular programs for student in the Global Leadership Program (GLP). In her free time, Mayra enjoys traveling, camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Gerald Corporal | Academic Advisorcorporal@marshall.usc.eduGerald was born in Guam and has lived all around the US and the world as his father serves in the US Army. Home is Seattle, Washington, where he went to college at the University of Washington earning a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies and Communication. He spent two years working at an Institutional Review Board before coming to USC to earn his Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs. At USC, he previously worked as a graduate advisor for the Undergraduate Student Government, an Exam Assistant for Disability Services and Programs, and as a TA for graduate level courses in the Rossier School of Education. At Marshall, Gerald also advises students in the Business in Cinematic Arts (BCA) program. During his free time he likes to explore LA cuisine, hike, watch movies, travel, and makes frequent trips to Seattle during the fall for UW football games.

Tehra Yosifi | Academic Advisoryosifi@marshall.usc.edu
Tehra received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, California. She is currently completing her Master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in College Counseling and Student Services from California State University, Northridge. Prior to becoming an academic advisor at Marshall, Tehra was an Academic Advisor at Mount St. Mary’s college where she worked with pre-nursing and undeclared students in the Academic Advisement Center. Tehra has experience in a variety of areas in higher education including academic advisement, career development, and leadership development. In her spare time, Tehra enjoys hiking, exploring LA, and spending time with friends and family.

Chelsea Jones | Academic Advisorchelsecj@marshall.usc.edu
Chelsea was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an International Relations concentration from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her active involvement within UCLA Undergraduate Admissions and the UCLA Career Center served as the foundation of her dedication towards improving student retention and development in higher education. She is currently enrolled in the USC Rossier School of Education, M.Ed. in Educational Counseling program. Prior to joining Marshall’s team of undergraduate advisors, Chelsea provided full-time administrative support to the student body, staff, and faculty of the USC Price School of Public Policy. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with friends and family, exploring new restaurants and hiking trails throughout LA county, following sports, film/television, music, and expanding her personal library.

Katrina Arce | Academic Advisorkatrinaa@marshall.usc.edu
Born and raised in New York City, Katrina received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education/Special Education from New York University, and went on to pursue a Master of Arts in Postsecondary and Higher Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to moving to Los Angeles and joining USC, Katrina served as the Assistant Director of New Student Programs at Baruch College, CUNY in Manhattan, New York. Katrina has experience in a variety of areas in higher education including the first-year experience, orientation, leadership development, and student activities. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Sheena Dreher | Academic Advisorsdreher@marshall.usc.edu
Sheena started in our office as a Graduate Assistant in 2013, and is now working for us as a full-time Academic Advisor after completing her master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at USC’s Rossier School of Education. Sheena earned her bachelor of arts in Communicative Disorders from the University of Redlands, and it was there that she found her passion for working with college students. When she’s not in the office, Sheena enjoys getting outdoors, playing and listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and exploring Southern California.

Eena Singh | Academic Advisoreena.singh@marshall.usc.edu
Eena was born in India and has spent the majority of her life growing up in Southern California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a BA in Anthropology, and a minor in Education, and has also recently received her MA degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs, from New York University’s (NYU) Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Prior to joining USC, Eena was the Student Affairs Specialist for the NYU Abu Dhabi Community Programs department. Throughout her time at UCLA and NYU, Eena has had the opportunity to work with a variety of departments in the field of higher education, which have allowed her to gain extensive experience in working with a diverse undergraduate student population. Some of these departments include: New Student Programs, Residence Life, Student Activities, and Advising. In her free time, Eena enjoys being active, watching movies, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Patricia Ramos | Office Coordinatorramosp@marshall.usc.edu
Patricia was born and raised in Southern California. She moved to Seattle after high school to attend Seattle University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her most memorable experience at Seattle University was serving as peer mentor for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Patricia also attended the University of Washington where she received certificates in Project Management and Contract Management & Design. While in Seattle, Patricia worked with a global consultancy for six years and enjoyed supporting their Education Initiatives. She is excited to be a part of an institution and culture that fosters student success. In her free time she enjoys traveling, watching sports, and spending time with her family.

Alexis Matthews | Student Services Assistantakmatthe@marshall.usc.edu
Alexis was born and raised in Southern California. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Gerontology from USC and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Psychology at USC’s Rossier School of Education. Prior to coming to Marshall, Alexis worked at USC in Auxiliary Services. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, swimming, and watching science fiction movies.